"They're stripping due process significantly and making it easier for arbitrary terminations, similar to private sector employment at will," Sean Timmons said.

Some passport services employees have approached management with a request to “self-furlough,” so they can find paying work during the shutdown.

IG nominee Thomas March Bell also wrote that he would provide information to support the President’s and secretary’s "courageous and innovative" changes at HHS.

With a total of 25 field offices around the country, the reassignments amount to turnover of about half or more of the agency's top staffers.

"You always start with the people, having good members within your team that are always thinking ahead," Alexander Granados said.

Many of those affected have been enrolled in a NALC plan for years and may feel out of practice when it comes to comparing and selecting a new plan.